New Delhi: South Korean boy band NTX filled Delhi with K-pop energy, lighting up the stage with its hit songs Holy Grail, Problematic and Kiss The World. But just as the fans were soaking in this electrifying performance, the band surprised them with something more – Vicky Kaushal’s Tauba Tauba and Diljit Dosanjh’s Kinni Kinni.
The 2,000 audience members at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium sprang to their feet, screaming in disbelief as NTX danced to the catchiest Punjabi beats.
“NTX grooving to Bollywood music — It’s the fusion of our dreams. I am pinching myself,” said Asmita, a 16-year-old K-pop fan who travelled from Gurugram just to see the nine-member group perform live.
The Korean Cultural Centre rolled out the red carpet for the third edition of the Rang De Korea Festival on 18 and 19 October. Bursting with food, clothes, beauty products and performances, the festival was a showcase of South Korea’s massive cultural footprint.
Since its launch in 2022, the festival has been a hub for K-pop enthusiasts, a place where fans can bond over their shared love for all things Korean. It has prompted the K-drama and BTS-obsessed young women of Delhi to develop newer interests—kimchi and kimbap to 10-step ‘dewy’ skincare routines. Many fans are eager to learn the Korean language, too.
“My love for the culture started with K-dramas during Covid-19,” recalled Asmita, who has been a regular at Rang De Korea since 2022. “Bingeing K-dramas over a hot Korean ramen bowl is my weekend ritual. As far as the language is concerned, I am still grasping — for now I just know salanghaeyo (I love you) and gamsahabnida (thank you).” Her experience was “underwhelming” last year because no popular bands performed, but the Korean cultural centre has “redeemed themselves” since, she stressed. “They brought NTX — the story ends there.”
A fierce showdown
A different kind of excitement brewed at the festival’s outdoor plaza. Faces were tense and palms sweaty. The semifinal of the 14th All-India K-Pop Contest had clearly put participants under tremendous pressure.
“We have been practising since last year. It’s make or break time but we are confident in our choreography,” said a member of Girl Krush, a Delhi-based dance squad.
Registration for this year’s All-India K-Pop Contest, organised by LG Electronics in partnership with the Korean Cultural Centre (KCC), started six months ago.
Around 10,600 participants enrolled in the first round of the online auditions held between 17 May and 28 June. After the regional preliminaries – held in 11 major Indian cities from 27 July to 1 September including Bengaluru, Chennai and Mumbai – 27 teams advanced to the semifinals.
Delhi had a strong presence in this competition. Around eight teams from the city, comprising musicians and dancers, made it to the semi-final, with only three of those qualifying for the finals scheduled for 23 November. They’re part of the 10 entries from across the country that have made it to the last leg of the competition.
The showdown at this year’s event was fierce. The finalists are competing for an all-expenses paid trip to South Korea.
Fifteen-year-old Preesha from Gurugram could feel “the heat and energy”. Preesha, a “diehard K-pop fan”, had submitted her dance performance for the competition, but was left disappointed when she couldn’t make it to the semi-final.
However, a fan meet-and-greet with NTX made the elimination sting a bit less.
“I shook hands with them; lucky I didn’t faint,” said Preesha. Dressed in a distinctly Korean white-crop top and baggy blue jeans, the teen dreams of having a Korean boyfriend one day.
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The craze for K-fashion
Korean pop culture is serious business for fans, and their fashion proves it. From the quintessential fringes and bows to skirts, turtle neck tops, and big glasses, their wardrobe screams ‘K-pop fan’.
Many of them prepare their looks days before heading for a Korean fest. Shrusti, a Delhiite and a BlackPink fan who attended the NTX concert, is always on the lookout for Korean fashion essentials.
“Bows, dresses, the kitten heels — I stock them like a maniac. My wardrobe is less Indian and more Korean at this point,” she said, showing off the outfit she had selected for the night — a white balloon dress with small pink bows.
Meanwhile, the men at the festival were mostly seen in leather jackets and loose pants, a common look in South Korea.
Preesha’s mother Preeti, however, is unable to understand this craze.
Her palate is not acquainted with Japchae, tteokbokki, kimbap, and dak galbi. She likes her hot and crispy pakoras.
“This culture suits the youngsters, not us. We are happy with our Shah Rukh Khan.”
(Edited by Zoya Bhatti)